Burnisher



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

W. H. BOLES.

BURNISHER.

wag $4;

M mm 7 -a ATTORNEY (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2'.

W. H. BOLES.

BURNISHBR. No. 438,601. Patented 001;.21, 1890.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

IVARREN Il. HOLES, OF SYRACUSE, NEW' YORK.

BURNISHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 438,601, dated October21, 1890.

Application filed May 2, 1889. Serial No. 309,392. (No model.)

T0 62% whom it flea/y concern:

Be it known that I, WARREN H. BOLES, of Syracuse, in the county ofOnondaga, in the State of New York, have invented new and usefulImprovements in Burnishers, of which the following, taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings, is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to an improved burnishing or surfacing machineadapted to provide cards or other articles operated therethrough with afine finish or smooth gloss-like surface; and it has for its object theproduction of a simple and effective machine, which shall perform thedesired function at a minimum cost of expense for operation, and shallalso provide a more even or uniform surface than has heretofore beenpossible with burnishing or surfacing machines previously devised; andto this end it consists, essentially, in rollers adjustable toward eachother, one roller being provided with a frictional surface for feedingthe cards or other articles and the other roller being hollow andprovided with a polishing-surface heated from the interior of theroller, means for producing a circulation of water, steam, or gas insaid hollow roller, and a heater connected to said heating mechanism forcontinuously supplying water, steam or gas thereto.

It also consists in a novel adjusting device and a novel connectionbetween the rollers to prevent their adjustment affecting theirrotation; and it furthermore consists in the detail construction andarrangement of the parts, all as hereinafter more particularlydescribed, and pointed out in the claims.

In describing my invention reference is had to the accompanyingdrawings, forming a part of this specification, in which like lettersindicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure l is an elevation of the improved burnishing-machine and a heateroperatively connected thereto. Fig. 2 is a perspective of the detachedburnishing-machine, illustrating the relative construction andarrangement of its parts. Fig. 3 is a verticalsection taken through theupper part of the burnisher, clearly illustrating the construction andarrangement of the parts. Fig. l is an end elevation of the upper partof the burnisher, shown in section in Fig. Fig. 5 is a horizontalsectional view taken on line a: .r, Fig. 3, illustrating particularlythe construction of the open extremity of the hollow roller. Fig. (5 isan enlarged sectional view taken on line 1 1 Fig. 3, illustratingparticularly the adjusting device for operating the adjustablefeeding-roller. Fig. 7 is a detached detail view of the connectionbetween the adjustable roller and its actuating-gear. Fig. 8 is asectional view illustrating a modified construction of the adjustingdevice, and Fig. 9 is a vertical section illustrating a modified form ofthe adjustable roller.

A represents the frame of the burnisher A, preferably composed of twolike supporting ends or standards of suitable size, form, andconstruction to provide the desired rigidity.

Jon rnaled in the frame A are the bu rnisherrollers B B, of suitablesize, form, and 0011- struction, and preferably rotated in the samedirection by means of connected gearing K and K, as presently described.These rollers B B are adjustable toward each other, and this adjustmentis preferably obtained by the upper roller B being mounted injournalboxes 0, having a rectilinear movement in guideways A of theframe A, thus adjusting the roller B toward or away from the roller B.

In order to produce a fine finish upon articles to be burnished, it isdesirable that the burnishing-surface be heated to the required heat. Iaccomplish this result by producing a positive circuit of water, steam,or gas through the lower roller B, which is provided with asmooth-finished surface with which the article to be burnished iscontacted.

In suitable proximity to the burnisher A the heater D, having dischargeand return pipes I) and I)? This heater D may be of any suitable ordesirable size, form, and construction, but is here shown as a hollowtank (I, imposed above the flame of a suitable lamp or other burner, theheat of which ascends therethrough. The heat from the lamp or burner d,after heating the water in the tank (1 and causing hot water or steam toHow through the pipe D, then ascends and confacts with the bends D ofsaid pipe, which thus form a super-heater, further drying the steam andincreasing its heat and pressure.

One extremity of the hollow polishing or surfacing roller B is open andpreferably provided with the beveled edge 1), bearing against a bevelededge of the disk or filling-piece E. Projecting from the upper part ofthe diskE is the hollow stud E,'and projecting from the lower part ofsaid disk is a like hollow stud E each of which studs by means of therespective passages e and 6 open through the disk E to the interior ofthe hollow polishingroller B.

Secured to the frame A of the burnisher is the bracket E, which embracesthe hollow studs E and E and thus prevents the disk E from rotation. Thedisk E is adjustable toward and away from the beveled edge I) of theopen extremity of the roller B by means of an adj listing-screw G,supported in the bracket F and bearing with its inner extremityg againstthe said disk E. Interposed between a shoulder 9, provided upon saidadjusting-screw, and the adjacent face of the disk E is the spring gwhich constantly forces the said disk E toward the edge I) of the rollerB. When the disk E bears with too great a force against the edge I), byturning outward the screw G the tension upon the spring 9 is reduced andthe said disk is forced toward the edgebwith a reduced pressure, andwhen the pressure of the spring is insufficient to attain the desiredresult by turning inward theadjusting-screw G the tension upon thespring g is increased. It will be evident that this spring might bedispensed with; but a more desirable pressure is obtained thereby, andconsequently in the preferable construction of my machine I deem itadvisable to use the same.

steam is discharged from said pipe into said stud and thence conductedthrough the passage e and through a pipe or tube E se-' cured at thedischarge-opening of said passage a. This pipe E is in the extreme upperpart of the polishing-roller B and extends to almost the rearwardextremity thereof, so as to allow of the ready discharge therefrom ofthe water, steam, or gas. The passage 6 connected to the passage of thehollow stud E is in the lower part of the roller B, and thus the water,steam, or gas is drawn from the forward extremity of the roller B at thelower part thereof and passes through the stud E and the return-pipe Dback into the heater.

In the return-pipe D I provide the blowthe water, steam, or gas from theopposite extremity in the lower part thereof a positive circuit isformed through the roller B, causing live steam to be continually passedtherethrough, thereby heating the same to the required heat. Thisarrangement also prevents the clogging of the discharge pipe of theheater by the water of condensation which takes place in the roller B,since the water condensed in said roller is not returned through thesteam-pipe, but leaves the roller by means of the return-pipe D In orderto more thoroughly allow of this driving off of the water ofcondensation, I preferably form the standard A, in which the open end ofthe roller B is journaled, of slightly less height than the oppositestandard, thus inclining the roller.

In burnishersheated by the direct flame or heat from a lamp or otherburner experience has demonstrated that there is a liability of thecards or other articles becoming scorched orburned.Thisdiflicult-yis,however,entirely obviated by the use of steam.Moreover, by the direct heat of a lamp or other burner theburnisher-rollers are caused to sweat; but where the roller is heated bysteam its sweating is entirely obviated, and accordingly the cards orother articles can be run through the machine immediately after thedesired heat is reached, while with the other plan of heating it isnecessary to continually wipe off the rollers until the sweating thereofhas ceased.

The steam 011 the interior of the roller B will constantly exude betweenthe edge I) of the roller B and the adj acent beveled edge of r the diskE, serving to lubricate this metal 'joint, preventing wear thereof, andobviating the necessity of packing, since by means of theadjusting-screw G the said edge of the disk may be forced toward theedge I) with any desired pressure.

To prevent any liability of the oil of the journal-bearing of the openextremity of the rollerBrunningalongtheburnish'ing-surface of the sameand contacting with the article to be burnished, I form thereon theannular recess b The rectangular movement of the feedingroller B isaccomplished by means of an adj usting-screw' H, mounted in the upperpart of the frame A and preferably in a cross or tie bar I, connectingthe upper parts of the standards A. This screw is prevented fromlongitudinal movement by means of a shoulder h, drawn tightly againstthe underneath surface of the tie-bar I by means of a nut h, bearingupon the upper face of said bar.

Provided upon the screw H is the wormwheel J, engaged by the worm J,mounted on a shaft J also preferably supported by the tie-bar I andjournaled in a lug depending therefrom.

Upon the shaft J is provided the handwheel or other turning means J andto secure an even movement of the said roller B IIO I extend the shaft J2 to the opposite journalbox for said roller and provide upon saidextremity of the shaft J a like worm J, meshing with a like worm-wheelJ, mounted upon a like adjusting-screw J, engaging said oppositejournal-box.

As the said screws II engage the journalboxes 0 and are prevented fromlongitudinal movement in the frame A and are rotated by means of theworm J and worm-wheel J, it will be seen that both extremities of thesaid roller are drawn upward with a uniform movement, readily adjustingthe roller to the desired height. By this means a very uniformadjustment can be secured and a consequent fine finish provided on thearticle operated upon, and any desirable friction obtained thereby.

In order to reduce to a minimum the friction occasioned by the movementof the journal-boxes C, and also the cost for producing an even slidingmovement of said boxes, I form the same a little scant of the sides ofthe guideways A so that the sides of the journal-boxes do not bearthereupon, but slide freely between them. Secured in the base of theguideway for the journal-boxes are the guide-rods c, which arepreferably formed round, and are supported at their upper extremity bythe tie-rod I. The journal-boxes the rods 0, and thus end motion of thejournal-boxes is obviated and the friction incidental to their operationis reduced to a minimum, while the planing of the guideways is obviated,it being only necessary to have a bearing-surface upon the guide-grooves0 thereof. Moreover, by reason of the reduced friction the movement ofsaid journal-boxes is rendered very easy, and there is no liability ofthe parts rattling by reason of friction enlarging the guideways A as isthe case when the journal-boxes closely fit said guideways.

The journal-spindle B of the roller B is extended to the outside of itssupportingstandard A, and secured thereto is the gear K,meshing with alike gear K, supported on a spindle K journaled in a bracket K securedon the outside of the said supportingstandard.

It has been customary in machines of this character to secure theactuating-gears, as K and K, directly to the rollers, and when therollers are adjusted it will be seen that the teeth of the gears engagewith more or less backlash, causing rattling and also creating awave-like surface upon the card-board or other article. In my device,however, the gears are fixed, and consequently always revolve with thesame certainty, and thus all liability of a wave-like surface upon thearticle operated upon is obviated.

I adapt the machine to its adjustment by means of the connection L,which is formed with a groove L, preferably of dovetailed shape,engaging a flange K provided upon the gear K. Formed upon the oppositesurface of the connecting disk or plate L is the shoulder L alsopreferably of dovetailed shape, which shoulder engages a recess 11provided in a shoulder or disk I) on the outside of the standard A andsecured or formed upon the journal-spindle b of the roller B. It willthus be seen that as the roller is elevated by means of theconnecting-disk L, formed with the shoulder L and. the groove L, motionis conveyed from the gear K to the said shoulder or disk 11 and thenceto the roller B, irrespective of the adjustment of said roller, sincethe said plate or disk can slide either up or down, accordingly as theroller B is adjusted toward or away from the roller 13. This adjustmentcould be derived if the plate or disk L were rigidly secured to the gearK and then connected, as described, to the shoulder or disk 12*; butwhen the said shoulders L and the groove b werein a horizontal plane itwould be impossible to adjust the device without first turning the sameout of said plane. However, by forming the groove L and the shoulder Lon the plate or disk L at substantially right angles to each other theadjustment is readily taken up by means of said disk, irrespective ofthe point to which it is rotated. This feature of adjustment is one ofgreat advantage and absolutely prevents the production of a wave-likesurface upon the article operated upon, and also renders the rollerscapable of a greater adjustment.

Motion is transmitted to the gear K by means of a suitable handle M orother actuating means mounted upon the spindle K and when said spindleis rotated it will readily be seen that both rollers will revolve in thesame direction and the card or other substance be drawn between them.

The periphery of the feeding-roller is serrated or knurled, in orderthat the card or other article may be the more readily engaged thereby,and to obtain the necessary friction in feeding said articles through mymachine I either form the rollers thereof of different sizes or elseform the gear K with a greater number of teeth than the gear K.

At Fig. 8 I have shown a modified construction of the adjusting device,in which, instead of a worm and worm-wheel, I provide beveled gears NandN, mounted, respectively, upon the shaft J and the adjusting-screw H.This device is not, however, my preferable construction; but theoperation is precisely the same, and the screw H is in this caseprevented from longitudinal movement by means of a supporting-shouldern,preventing downward movement, and by means of the gear N, preventingupward movement.

While this machine has been described as a burnishing-machine, it willbe understood that the hollow roller thereof, having a circuit of water,steam, or gas therethrough, can be readily utilized in machines formangling and planishing, and also forsurfacing leather and othersubstances.

At Fig. 9 I have shown a modified construction of the roller B, the samebeing provided with a face b of yielding material, allowing thesurfacing or polishing of substances of difierent thicknessesas, forinstance, laundry articles and leath.ersince the yielding face I) willallow the thick parts of said articles to be pressed therein, andthereby an even pressure will be distributed upon the whole surface.

It will also be understood that if desired the roller B might also beformed hollow and a circuit of hot air, water, or steam might be forcedtherethrough.

The operation of my invention will be readily perceived from theforegoing, and it will be understood that considerable change may bemade in the relative construction and arrangement of the parts thereofwithout departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination of a steam or hotrwater heater, a burnishing-rollerhaving'aninterior cavity, a steam or hot-water inlet pipe connected tosaid heater and connected to the burnishing-roller for discharging intoone extremity thereof, and an outlet-pipe for withdrawing the steam orhot water from the opposite extremity of said roller and returning thesame to the heater, whereby a continuous. current of steam or hot wateris produced within said heater, substantially as specified.

2. The combination of a surfacing-roller, an interior cavity in saidroller having one extremity open, a filling-piece for closing the openextremity, inlet and outlet openings in said filling-piece for admittingand withdrawing steam or hot water into and out of. said roller, a pipeor tube connected to said inletopening for conducting said steam or hotwater to the opposite extremity of said cavity,

whereby a continuous current is produced therein from end toend, asteam-lubricated joint between said filling-piece and the contactingsurface of the burnishing-roller, and an adjusting device for varyingthe approximation of said contacting surfaces of the fillin g-piece andburnishing-roller, substantially as set forth.

3. In a burnisher, the combination of a hollow surfacingroller: havingone extremity open, a filling-piece for closing said open extremity, astationary yoke or bracket secured to the frame of the said roller andengaging said filling-piece for preventing the rotation of thefilling-piece, and a device interposed between said bracket and thefilling-piece for adjusting the same toward'and away from said cavity, acontinuous current of steam or hot air, sliding journal-boxes for one ofsaid rollers, screws for engaging said boxes, and a connection betweensaid screws for operating them uniformly at the same time, substantiallyas set forth.

5. In a burnisher, the combination of aburnishing-roll'er, asupporting-frame for said roller, guideways in said frame, afeedingroller, journal-boxes for said roller, of less width than that ofthe said guideways in the frame, a-pair of guide-grooves in the oppositesides of said boxes, and guide-rods supported in said frame andregistered with said guide-grooves for guiding said sliding jour-Hal-boxes, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

6. The combination of adjac-entlyanounted rollers, one of which isadjustable toward the other-,a gear K, mounted upon the journalspindleof the fixed roller, a gear K, engaging the gear K, having its spindlefixed, a shoulder or disk 12 secured to the journalspindle of theadjustable roller, and a connecting-disk L between said shoulder or diskY b and the gear K, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

7. The combination of adjacently-mounted rollers, one of which is adjustable toward the other, a gear K, mounted upon the journal spindle ofthe fixed roller, a gear K, engaging the gear K, said gear K having itsspind-le fixed and provided with a shoulder K, a

shoulder or disk. b, secured to the journalspindle of the adjustablerollerand provided with a shoulder b and a connecting disk or plate L,interposed between the: gear K and the shoulder or disk b and providedwith shoulders engaging the shoulders of said parts, substantially asand for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name, in the presence oftwo at testing Witnesses, at Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga, in theState of New York, this 29th day of April, 1889.

WARREN H. BO-LES.

Witnesses:

CLARK H. NoR'roN, v ARTHUR E. PARSONS.

